GWU Bows Out to Campbell in First Round of the Big South Tournament
November 03, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Daniel Island, S.C. - The Runnin' Bulldogs women's soccer team saw its 2011 season come to an end Thursday evening, as #6 GWU dropped a 3-1 contest to #3 Campbell in the Big South tournament's first round.
Gardner-Webb finishes at 6-8-5 on the year and earned a 4-4-2 Big South regular season record in 2011.
The first half saw the Camels jump out to a 3-0 lead. Campbell's Annabelle Gibney had a part of all three goals, putting in two herself and assisting on another, to provide the 3-0 halftime score.
Gardner-Webb was not without goal-scoring opportunities in the first period of play, taking seven shots and placing four of those shots on goal. Senior Megan Reimer played a ball to midfielder Megan Curan who fired a shot from 18 yards out, but it was saved by Campbell keeper Ryann Torrero.
Campbell scored first in the 9th minute off a header from Taylor Brown to put the Runnin' Bulldogs in a 1-0 hole.
The deficit was increased to 2-0 in the 22nd minute off a goal from Gibney.
A strong free kick attempt from defender Jessica Casper nearly got GWU right back in it, but her attempt from 30 yards out was saved.
Reimer, who paced GWU with four shots and three shots on goal in the match, nearly delivered a goal in the 40th minute, but her shot was saved by Torrero and the score remained 2-0.
Gibney knocked in another goal in the final minute of the second half to put Gardner-Webb down 3-0 entering the break.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would need some of that late-game magic they had relied upon all season.
Gardner-Webb goalie Erika Lenns came up big for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the second half, stepping in to keep the Camels off the board and GWU in the game.
GWU got a goal back in the 65th minute after sophomore forward Ele Margelos entered the game for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Reimer got open up field and found Margelos in the middle of the 18 bard box. The sophomore from North Potomac, Md. struck a one-timer that found the back of the net to narrow the margin to 3-1. The goal marked Margelos' second of the season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to attack, gaining open looks at the goal that threatened the Camels lead. The defensive effort, headlined by Lenns' five saves, continued to keep the Camels off the board.
Curan and senior Stephanie Benshoof teamed up to give GWU a great scoring chance, as Curan found a cross and headed a ball that was pinned between a Campbell defender and the left post. Benshoof followed with a shot attempt that went wide. The Runnin' Bulldogs would be able to get another open look at the goal the rest of the way, as the score remained 3-1 when the final buzzer sounded.
Head Coach Kevin Mounce praised his team's effort after the game.
"I'm proud of the effort our girls have given, tonight and all season," Coach Mounce said. "The first half was not the way you want to come out in a conference tournament, but we fought back, just like we have all season."
"Our seniors have accomplished some great things for us in their careers, finishing as runners-up last year," Mounce added. "Overall, I'm very proud."
The Runnin' Bulldogs finished the season with an even regular season conference record (4-4-2) and had three players honored by the Big South for their accomplishments during the 2011 season (Curan - All-Freshman Team, Second-Team All-Conference; Dawn Rollyson - Second-Team All-Conference; Megan Tremblay - All-Academic Team).
| Gardner-Webb vs. Campbell - Box Score |
